Employees involved in Bank Account Hacking: Asom Gana Parishad Legislator Utpal Dutta

Hacked Account

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, July 16: At a time when both private and public sector banks seek each and every detailed information and documents of a person before opening his or her account, hackers have been successful in siphoning off Rs 14 lakh from the account of AGP MLA Utpal Dutta from Dispur branch of State Bank of India by forging his signature and changing his mobile number.

The development has raised serious concern among people regarding safe custody of their money in different banks. Many say if the account of a prominent MLA could be hacked so easily, there is no certainty that their accounts will remain safe in coming days.

“My signature was forged by culprits who changed my original phone number registered with the Dispur branch of SBI and also siphoned off money through fraudulent transactions. When I inquired with the bank manager to check my signature that the hackers used in bank records, the signature did not match with my original signature. Hackers cannot do such things so easily without the help of the bank employees and officials. I have serious doubt that some employees of SBI are hand in glove with hackers to do such illegal transactions,” Utpal Dutta said.

The incident came to light when the wife of MLA who represents Lakhimpur assembly constituency had gone to the bank to withdraw money through a cheque on July 13. On being informed, the MLA immediately rushed to the SBI branch and came to know that his registered mobile number was changed on May 19 without his knowledge to do the fraudulent transactions.

Dutta in his FIR lodged with Dispur police station his account number in SBI Dispur (10821663278) has been fraudulently hacked on May 19.

“My phone number linked to the account has been changed on the May 19 and also internet banking has been activated without my knowledge or permission. On requesting the documents, the bank authorities failed to provide us with the information,” the AGP MLA mentioned in the FIR.

“When my wife had gone to the bank to withdraw Rs 45,000, the bank authorities said that there was not sufficient amount in my account. Upon verifying the bank documents, we noticed that my registered mobile number against the account was changed two months before,” Dutta said.

Meanwhile officials of Dispur police station and Crime Branch of City Police are conducting a detailed investigation into fraudulent monetary transactions. They have also visited the city branch of Allahabad Bank in connection with the case.